Jacques Corriveau pauses during his testimony before the Gomery commission in a May 30, 2005 photo in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
December 13, 2013 - 10:53 AM
MONTREAL - The RCMP says charges have been laid against a businessman stemming from the Quebec sponsorship scandal.
Jacques Corriveau is facing charges of fraud against the government, forgery and laundering proceeds of crime.
The charges come after an investigation that was triggered nearly 11 years ago.
The Mounties allege in a news release today that Corriveau set up a kickback system on contracts awarded during the sponsorship program.
Police say Corriveau alleged he could exert influence on the federal government to ensure certain Quebec-based firms received lucrative contracts in exchange for several million dollars in kickbacks and benefits for himself and others.
Corriveau had close ties to former prime minister Jean Chretien.
The RCMP are to hold a news conference in Montreal later this afternoon.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2013